Tracking Endogenous Presentation Of MHC Class-II-Restricted Viral Epitopes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$165,436.00
Summary
CD4+ T cells play an important role in controlling viral infections. Proteins from viruses are processed into small pieces by immune stimulating cells and these are then displayed on special molecules of the immune stimulating cells for the CD4+ T cells to recognise and respond to. This project aims to establish the various pathways by which the immune stimulating cells process the proteins and present them to the CD4+ T cells.
“Killer T cells” are specialised cells that help control viral infection. T cells recognize virus via proteins called “T cell receptors” (TCR). TCR are incredibly diverse, allowing us to recognise many different viruses. Recent advances in technology allow us to look at TCR and the genes encoding them, however their complexity makes that data difficult to interpret. I will use mathematical and statistical approaches to analyse and model this data to better understand immune recognition.
Analysis Of T Cell Fate Regulation By Asymmetric Cell Division
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$287,321.00
Summary
The aim of this research is to study how white blood cell growth is regulated by signals of the immune system. Problems in this process can have drastic effects on the well being of an individual leading to deficiencies in controlling infection and development of diseases such as cancer. Once we understand how these signals regulate white blood cell growth, we can begin to develop therapies to provide protection against these diseases.
Dissecting Mechanisms Of Generalised Immune Activation And Cellular Dysfunction In HIV Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$422,576.00
Summary
How HIV infection compromises the host immune system is still not well understood. We will study how HIV surface proteins contribute to heightened immune activation during chronic infection. This generalised activation eventually leads to dysfunctional cellular immune responses and loss of partial control of infection. We will additionally investigate the extent and impact of the loss of functional immune responses in chronic HIV infection.
Perforin Trafficking And Activation In Killer Lymphocytes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$292,639.00
Summary
Perforin (PRF) is a protein essential for the function of cytotoxic lymphocytes during an immune response in humans. Humans deficient in PRF are severely immunosuppressed and fall critically ill if they contract a viral infection. The partial loss of PRF function can also predispose an individual to cancer. We aim to investigate the functional and biochemical properties of PRF. The outcomes of this study will determine how PRF influences the immune system and immune homeostasis in humans.
The aim of this project is to develop mathematical models and computer software capable of predicting immune responses to infection and disease. This “artificial immune system” should lead to improved vaccine design and better understanding of what causes the immune system to attack its own body, causing autoimmune disease, or fail to respond, causing immunodeficiency. This enabling science could then lead to improvements in treatment for a range of conditions of clinical importance.